Public Health England: Rest Assured, the UK's Stance on Vaping Has Not Changed

On September 26, according to foreign media reports, 11 people in the United States have tragically died from a mysterious lung illness linked to unlicensed THC and nicotine vaping products. In response, Public Health England (PHE) reassured UK vapers that its position on e-cigarettes remains unchanged.

“Our advice on e-cigarettes remains unchanged. Vaping is not completely risk-free, but it is far less harmful than smoking,” PHE said on Twitter. “In this situation, continuing to vape is much better for your health than continuing to smoke.”

The tweet was aimed at easing the global panic caused by reports of “vaping-related” lung illness cases across the United States. A man from Kansas became the ninth person reported to have died from the illness, while the total number of reported cases had reached 500 at the time. Other tragic deaths occurred in California, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, and Oregon.

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that the vast majority of patients suffering from the illness had used unlicensed THC products.

The New Nicotine Alliance (NNA) also supported PHE’s statement, saying that guidance from both PHE and the NNA remains unchanged. It also stressed that consumers should use regulated products. This clearly indicates that nicotine should not be blamed for these incidents, and users should not buy illegal oil-based THC liquids from unregulated suppliers.